Join us on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. (Washington DC, or EDT) for the launch of the “Advocate’s toolkit for making epilepsy a priority in the Americas” which was co-developed by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Its purpose is to foster stakeholder engagement aimed at reducing stigma, enhancing social inclusion, and improving access to healthcare and treatment for people with epilepsy. The toolkit offers information, strategies, examples, and templates to assist advocates in crafting effective advocacy approaches.
This webinar aims to introduce participants to the advocacy toolkit, designed to enhance their skills in basic advocacy strategies to enable them to develop and implement impactful advocacy campaigns. It is open to all interested individuals.
How to participate
- Date: Thursday, 5 September 2024
- Time: 11:00 A.M. (Washington D.C. or EDT) [Check the time in other cities at the bottom of this page]
- Languages: Spanish and English with simultaneous translation.
- Registration: https://paho-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_muiNM8CFRW6vO2yOKoZLlQ#/registration
Context
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, affecting individuals of all ages. In the Region of the Americas, approximately 5 million people are affected by epilepsy, accounting for 0.7% of the regional burden of disease. Globally, 50 million people have epilepsy, contributing to 0.5% of the global burden of disease, with 80% of that burden present in developing countries. Each year, there are around 2 million new cases of epilepsy worldwide, and the incidence rate in developing countries is double that of developed countries. The mortality rate among those with epilepsy is higher than that of the general population, with Latin America and the Caribbean experiencing a rate of 1.04 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 0.50 per 100,000 in the United States and Canada. Additionally, more than half of the individuals with epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean lack access to necessary medical services, leading to untreated or poorly managed conditions.
Overall, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, with the risk of premature death in people with epilepsy being up to three times higher than in the general population. Roughly half of adults with epilepsy have at least one other comorbidity, with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety exacerbating seizures and reducing the quality of life. Furthermore, people with epilepsy worldwide face significant discrimination. The stigma associated with epilepsy can discourage individuals from seeking treatment and adversely affect their quality of life and social inclusion.
IBE works to achieve a transformational social change for people with epilepsy worldwide. It aims to make epilepsy a global public health priority, to empower and amplify the voices of people with epilepsy, and to serve and support its chapters. Today, IBE has 160 chapters in 110 countries, including over 30 full and associate chapters across the Americas.
The collaboration between PAHO and IBE is crucial in addressing the high burden of epilepsy, promoting human rights, and ensuring equitable healthcare access, thereby improving outcomes for those affected by epilepsy in this region.
Agenda
*To be published soon.
Time in other cities
- 8:00 a.m. – Los Angeles, Vancouver.
- 9:00 a.m. - Belmopan, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, San Jose (CR), San Salvador, Tegucigalpa,
- 10:00 a.m. – Bogota, Kingston, Lima, Panama City, Quito
- 11:00 a.m. – Asunción, Bridgetown, Caracas, Georgetown, Havana, La Paz, Port of Spain, Port-au-Prince, Nassau, Ottawa, Santiago, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Washington D.C.
- 12: 00 a.m. - Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo, Paramaribo.
- 5:00 p.m. – Geneva, Madrid.
For other cities, check the local time using the following link.
Related links
WHO Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders